Recreating the Silver Screen's "Black Death" FXR

Black Death

Despite being a commercial flop, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man has a cult following among movie fans. Released in 1991, it was not the rambling plot that propelled the film to infamy, but Mickey Rourke's raked and rigid 1989 FXR. Dubbed 'Black Death,' the bike captured a starring role and revved up the imagination of wannabe bikers everywhere. 

Cool Clone

For many growing up in the 1990s, Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man was the reason they started riding. The movie also fueled a strong desire for Harley-Davidson ownership. Yet, for a few die-hard fans, simple brand loyalty was not sufficient. In a bid to catch some of Rourke's cool, they wanted a clone of the raw metal FXR.

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Sidewinder Stroker

There are numerous Black Death replicas out there, some better than others. Dedicated fans even duplicate the unique leathers worn by Rourke's character — Harley Davidson. There are only two genuine movie bikes, one with a 98" Sidewinder Stroker kit, and the other with a stock 80 cubic-inch Evolution engine. Both were built by Bartels' Harley-Davidson in Marina Del Rey, California.

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Low Speeds

Three versions of Black Death were made using the same 1989 FXLR — Rourke's personal ride. The last incarnation became the iconic raked and rigid Black Death 3 or BD3. This is the original movie bike, but Rourke did not ride it in the film. The stroker motor was a handful at low speeds, so an identical copy was built using a 1989 FXR and a stock motor.

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Stunt Bike

Black Death 3 appeared in the movie, but only as a static display. The stock motor version that Rourke rides is known as the 'Stunt Bike.' The bike that propelled so many to embrace motorcycling, and Harley-Davidson, was in itself a replica — not that it matters. After filming concluded, one bike was sold and the other lent to a friend.

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Rebuilt Form

Chuck Zito, of Sons of Anarchy fame as Frankie Diamonds, received Black Death 3. The Stunt Bike was sold and languished in a prop warehouse before being recouped by Gene Thomason — the original builder. Zito crashed Black Death 3, and it supposedly was never rebuilt to its original form. At one point the Stunt Bike was housed at Loess Hills Harley-Davidson in Pacific Junction, Iowa.

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Original Venture

In recent years, Rourke teamed up with Carefree Custom Cycles to build the most authentic re-creations of this two-wheeled piece of cinematic history. The official replicas use a 114 cubic-inch MID-USA Powerhouse engine that pumps out 135 horsepower. The re-popped Black Death bikes were indistinguishable from the original, but it seems that the venture did not fully materialize.

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Ultimate Lowdown

Rourke's FXR might have had a starring role, but Theresa San-Nicholas as the hitchhiker inadvertently stole the spotlight. Her appearance in the last forty seconds of the film probably contributed significantly to Harley-Davidson's sales that year. For those wanting to build a Black Death replica, Easyriders Magazine published a spec sheet in The Ultimate Lowdown On the Ultimate Low Rider, written by Dave Aldridge — May 1997 issue.

>>Join the conversation on the Black Death FXR right here in the Harley-Davidson Forum!

For help with service and maintenance of your bike, check out the how to section of HDForums.com